Travel Policy
Responsibility for policy: Chief Financial Officer
Approving authority: Vice-Chancellor
Last reviewed: January 2016
Next review date: May 2020
Application
1. This policy applies to all staff of the University of Waikato and members of the University of
Waikato Council.
Scope
2. This policy does not apply to travel undertaken as part of study leave, which is subject to the
Study Leave Policy.
Purpose
3. The purpose of this policy is to:
a. set out the principles to which staff must adhere when planning and arranging travel on
University business
b. outline the processes to be followed with respect to arranging and approving travel and
approving associated expenses
c. ensure sound financial management and accountability associated with University
expenditure on travel, and
d. ensure that the University fulfils its obligations with respect to duty of care for staff
undertaking travel on University business.
Related documents
4. The following documents set out further information relevant to this policy:
 Office of the Controller and Auditor General: Controlling Sensitive Expenditure: Guidelines
for Public Entities
 PCard Policy
 Private Vehicles for University Business Policy
 Procurement Policy
 Rental Vehicle Policy
 Staff Code of Conduct
 Study Leave Policy
Definitions
5. In this policy:
‘best fare of the day’ means the most cost effective fare identified by the University's travel
management company (TMC) at the time of booking
domestic travel means travel in New Zealand
emergency travel arrangements means travel and associated arrangements (including
arrangements required as a result of a natural disaster) to ensure the personal safety of the staff
member or as a result of the staff member experiencing serious personal tragedy (including
serious injury or death of a close family member)
extreme-risk area means a part of the world where there is conflict, warfare or ongoing violent
civil unrest that poses an extreme risk to the safety of travellers according to the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT); MFAT advises against all travel to extreme risk areas through
its travel advisories
high-risk area means a part of the world where there are sustained safety and security concerns
that pose a high risk to the safety of travellers according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and
Trade (MFAT); MFAT advises against non-essential travel to high-risk areas through its travel
advisories
long-haul international travel means travel to international locations outside Australia and the
Pacific
personal expense means an expense that is not directly relevant to the University business being
undertaken and unless otherwise specifically provided for in this policy includes, but is not
limited to, an expense associated with personal grooming (e.g. hairdressing, spa treatments),
laundry, dry-cleaning, health-care, clothing (including hire), entertainment and recreation
(including in-room movies and video rentals), luggage and briefcases, parking and traffic fines,
towing fees, tipping within New Zealand, passports, postage of personal mail, any domestic
matters as a consequence of being away on University business (e.g. child-care, lawn care, care of
pets), or any private travel undertaken in conjunction with University business
preferred supplier means a supplier that has been awarded ‘preferred supplier’ status by the
Chief Financial Officer for the supply of specified goods or services to the University following a
competitive tender process which has resulted in a procurement contract; where a preferred
supplier exists for a given good and/or service, that supplier must be used
short-haul international travel means travel to Australia and the Pacific
travel management company (TMC) means the University's travel management company which
has been awarded the status of preferred supplier for travel and accommodation services
following a competitive tender process
University business means any activity that a staff member is expected to undertake during the
course of his/her work.
Circumstances where travel expenses may be incurred
6. Staff may incur travel expenses on behalf of the University only under the following
circumstances:
a. where they have been authorised by their line manager to conduct business on behalf of the
University or to attend an event as a representative of the University
b. where the travel is undertaken as an integral part of a research project, regardless of whether
the project is funded by the University or through an external funding source, or
c. where they have been authorised by their line manager to attend training, professional
development or a conference.
Principles
7. University expenditure on travel is subject to the standards of probity and financial prudence that
are expected of any New Zealand public entity.
8. University expenditure on travel and associated activities must be able to withstand
Parliamentary and public scrutiny.
9. The Office of the Controller and Auditor General sets out guidelines for controlling sensitive
expenditure for public entities; the University recognises that expenditure related to travel and
accommodation is a particular focus of those guidelines and expects them to be followed.
10. Staff must ensure that expenditure incurred while travelling on University business is
conservative, reasonable and in accordance with this policy.
PCards
11. The University requires all staff travelling on University business to have a PCard, unless
approved otherwise by the Chief Financial Officer on the recommendation of the relevant Dean,
Director or equivalent.
Travel management company (TMC)
12. The University has a preferred supplier arrangement with a TMC which assists the University to
fulfil its duty of care for staff travelling on University business.
13. Subject to clauses 33 and 42 of this policy, under no circumstances may staff book travel on
University business (including airfares, accommodation, shuttles and rental vehicles) other than
through the TMC, whether the travel is domestic or international, for themselves or for visitors to
the University, and regardless of the source of the funding for the travel. The preferred booking
method for domestic travel bookings is through the TMC's online tool within Unimarket, and the
preferred booking method for short or long-haul international is via the TMC consultants.
Approval of travel
14. Staff who wish to travel internationally on University business must develop a proposal for
consideration by their line manager, which sets out the intended outcomes of the travel and a
reasonable estimation of the likely costs.
15. A proposal by a staff member to travel on University business is subject to approval by the staff
member's line manager; before approving such a proposal, the line manager must be satisfied that
a. the travel is appropriate and justifiable, and
b. the associated costs to the University are appropriate.
16. Under no circumstances may staff members approve their own travel and associated expenditure.
17. Under no circumstances may staff members authorise the travel and associated expenditure of
staff who are more senior than them in line management terms.
Travel by Council members on University business
18. All travel on University business and associated expenditure by Council members must comply
with this policy.
19. Travel on Council business by the Chancellor and other members of Council (except the ViceChancellor) is subject to the approval of the Council Secretary.
Travel by the Vice-Chancellor on University business
20. Long-haul international travel on University business by the Vice-Chancellor is subject to prior
approval by the Chancellor.
21. Domestic and short-haul international travel by the Vice-Chancellor on University business is not
subject to prior approval by the Chancellor, but must be reported by the Vice-Chancellor to the
Chancellor and the Audit and Risk Committee on a six-monthly basis.
Booking travel
22. Staff may book travel only where prior approval has been granted under clause 15 of this policy.
23. Staff booking flights must book the 'best fare of the day' as highlighted in the online tool within
Unimarket or as advised by the TMC consultants.
24. Staff who book flights other than the 'best fare of the day' are required to provide a justification
for doing so.
25. Subject to clause 33 of this policy, staff who wish to book domestic accommodation must do so
from the list of preferred suppliers as highlighted in the online tool within Unimarket or as
provided by the TMC consultants.
26. Subject to clause 33 of this policy, staff who wish to book international accommodation must do
so through the TMC consultants.
27. Staff who are required to travel on University business commencing and ending at the University
of Waikato, must use a University pool vehicle whenever one is available, rather than using a
rental or private vehicle; University pool vehicle booking forms are available through the
University Fleet Management website. Further information may be obtained by emailing:
[email protected]. Staff who wish to book domestic rental vehicles must do so through either
the online tool within Unimarket or through the TMC consultants, and in accordance with the
University's Rental Vehicle Policy.
28. Staff who wish to book rental vehicles internationally must do so through the TMC consultants;
use of an international rental vehicle must be specifically authorised in advance by the relevant
line manager and must be a model of 2000cc or less; under no circumstances may 'luxury' vehicles
be rented.
Method of payment
29. Staff must raise purchase orders for all airfares.
30. For payment of travel costs other than airfares (e.g. accommodation, rental vehicles, shuttles,
meals) incurred on behalf of the University while undertaking travel, staff must use one of the
following authorised purchasing systems, in the following priority order:
a. PCard
b. purchase orders
c. staff claims.
31. Staff with PCards may use staff claims only for low-level expenses and only where it has not been
possible to charge them to their PCard.
Conference accommodation
32. Staff planning to attend a conference must check with the TMC to ensure that the accommodation
available through the conference organiser is a cost-effective option.
33. Provided it has been confirmed by the TMC as a cost-effective option, staff attending a conference
may arrange accommodation through the conference organiser rather than through the TMC.
34. A staff member who has arranged accommodation for a conference through the conference
organiser must advise the TMC of the details of the accommodation so that the TMC can fulfil its
responsibilities on behalf of the University with respect to duty of care.
Staying privately while on University business
35. Provided that the relevant line manager has agreed, a staff member may choose to stay privately
while travelling on University business.
36. Unless special contractual provisions apply, expense claims in respect of staff staying privately
while travelling on University business will be considered by the staff member's line manager on
an actual and reasonable basis.
Change of travel arrangements
37. If staff wish to change a travel arrangement that has already been booked and there is no
additional cost to the University in doing so, they must advise their line manager.
38. If staff wish to change a travel arrangement that has already been booked and the change will
create a consequential cost to the University, they must obtain prior approval from their line
manager.
39. Before approving a request to change a travel arrangement under clause 38 of this policy, the line
manager must take account of the consequential costs to the University.
40. Staff making changes to travel previously booked through the TMC must also make the changes
through the TMC.
41. Staff must personally meet the costs of any changes to arrangements that have not been approved
by the relevant line manager under clause 38 of this policy.
Emergency travel arrangements
42. A staff member who needs to make emergency travel arrangements while travelling on
University business must do so through Allianz (see clause 80 of this policy).
43. Subject to approval by the relevant line manager, the University will meet any costs under clause
42 of this policy; otherwise they must be met personally by the staff member.
Personal expenses
44. The University will not meet any personal expenses incurred by a staff member travelling on
University business.
Private travel in conjunction with University business
45. Staff who wish to undertake private travel in conjunction with travel on University business must
seek prior written approval to do so from their line manager.
46. Any expenses incurred during private travel are treated as personal expenses.
47. Annual leave must be booked for any private travel undertaken in conjunction with business
travel.
Communications while undertaking travel on University business
48. The University will meet the costs of telephone, mobile phone and internet use required for
business purposes while a staff member is travelling; staff must ensure that modes of
communication are as cost-effective as possible for the University.
49. The University will meet reasonable costs of communication with family for staff travelling on
University business; higher than normal communication costs will be met by the University only
in emergency situations.
50. Authority to approve the costs outlined in clauses 48 and 49 of this policy rests with the relevant
line manager.
Provision of hospitality on University business
51. Staff who wish to provide hospitality while on University business must do so in compliance
with the Procurement Policy.
Airline lounge membership
52. The University will not pay for membership of airline lounges (e.g. Koru Club), except where
a. it is specified as an entitlement in the staff member's employment contract
b. it is funded under the terms of an external contract, or
c. prior approval is granted in writing by the Vice-Chancellor (for direct reports) or the relevant
Dean, Director or equivalent; approval will be granted only where the staff member is
expected to undertake a considerable amount of air travel as part of his or her normal duties.
53. Under no circumstances will the University pay for lifetime memberships or spouses'
memberships of airline lounges.
Airline, accommodation and general travel loyalty schemes
54. The University will not pay for membership of any loyalty or reward programmes.
55. Staff must not allow personal memberships of any loyalty or reward programmes to influence
their business decisions.
56. Staff may retain rewards (e.g. airpoints) generated by travel on University business and redeem
them for personal use.
Airfare class of travel
57. Economy class (or equivalent) is the standard for all staff travelling on University business.
58. Where a standard economy class booking (or equivalent) has been made through the TMC, staff
are not permitted to accept any seating or service upgrades if they attract an additional cost to the
University.
59. Applications for travel in premium economy class (or equivalent) are subject to the prior written
approval of the Vice-Chancellor (for direct reports) or the relevant Dean, Director or equivalent,
and will normally be approved for long-haul international flights only.
60. Subject to clause 62 of this policy, applications for travel in business-class (or equivalent) are
subject to the prior written approval of the Vice-Chancellor on the recommendation of the
relevant Dean, Director or equivalent.
61. Subject to clause 62 of this policy, under no circumstances will the University meet the costs of
first-class travel (or equivalent).
62. Business-class or first-class travel (or equivalent) will be approved where the cost of travel is
being covered by an external party and that party has stipulated that business-class or first-class
(or equivalent) is permitted.
63. Staff may redeem rewards (e.g. airpoints) to upgrade their class of travel provided no additional
cost is incurred by the University.
64. Staff may upgrade their class of travel at their own personal cost through the TMC.
Downgrading
65. Staff are not permitted to downgrade their class of airfare, accommodation or rental vehicle in
order to receive a personal benefit; such action may be viewed and treated as fraud.
Documentation for travel
66. Staff are responsible for ensuring that they have all relevant documentation for overseas travel,
including passport, visas and re-entry permits where required, before attempting to travel on
University business.
67. The cost of a passport is a personal expense, and will not be met by the University; however the
University will meet the cost of any documentation other than a passport if it is required for a
particular business trip.
Inoculations
68. The University will meet the costs of inoculations prior to travel to particular countries if they are
recommended by the TMC or a registered medical practitioner.
Insurance
69. The University will not allow staff to travel internationally on University business without
appropriate insurance cover, including War Cover where it is deemed necessary by the insurers.
70. Details of the University's all-inclusive international travel insurance scheme are available in
iWaikato.
71. Travel insurance must be arranged with the University's brokers through the Financial Services
Division using the travel insurance application form on the University's website; under no
circumstances are staff permitted to arrange travel insurance for travel on University business
through other insurers.
72. Staff are advised to arrange insurance cover well in advance of international travel on University
business.
73. Standard insurance for international travel on University business is arranged by the University
at no charge to the staff member's cost centre.
74. Where travel on University business requires high-cost insurance cover (i.e. for travel to extremerisk or high-risk areas), the portion of the premium in excess of regular insurance cover will be
recharged to the cost centre concerned.
75. Staff who elect to undertake private travel in conjunction with travel on University business are
required to make their own travel insurance arrangements for the period of personal travel and to
personally meet any associated insurance costs; personal travel insurance can be arranged at the
University rate through the University's travel insurance company.
Travel warnings and advice
76. Staff planning to travel on University business should refer to the Government's official travel
advisories published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
77. Through its TMC, insurers and other information sources the University is also made aware of
potential and confirmed extreme-risk or high-risk areas around the world.
78. Travel to areas identified by the TMC or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade as extreme-risk
or high-risk areas requires the specific approval of the Vice-Chancellor; staff who wish to travel to
extreme-risk or high-risk areas must apply to do so to the Director of the Vice-Chancellor’s Office
who will assess the application on its merits taking account of the potential risk and the benefits
and/or value to the University and make a recommendation to the Vice-Chancellor.
79. It is recommended that staff travelling to extreme-risk or high-risk areas register their travel with
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade through its SafeTravel website.
80. The University has a preferred supplier agreement with Allianz, a global medical and security
assistance company, who will provide staff with comprehensive, up-to-date and relevant safety
information related to their travel.
81. At the time of booking travel with the TMC, staff will receive relevant documentation and advice
about the services of Allianz.
Travel insurance claims and excess for lost or damaged personal belongings
82. The claim form for travel insurance claims is available in iWaikato; staff seeking further
information regarding claims should contact the Financial Services Division.
83. The University's international travel insurance policy carries an excess (the first part of any loss or
damage which the insurer will not pay in the event of a claim).
84. Where an insurance claim arises from a staff member's international travel on University
business, the excess will be covered by the staff member's Faculty/Division or equivalent, subject
to clause 86 of this policy.
85. Where a staff member is travelling internationally on University business and incurs loss or
damage which is less than the excess (and therefore insurance may not be claimed), the staff
member's Faculty/Division or equivalent will cover the cost of the replacement or repair, unless
clause 86 of this policy applies.
86. If loss or damage is the result of demonstrable negligence by the staff member concerned, he or
she will be required to pay either the excess, or the cost of replacement or repair if the amount is
less than the excess.
Excess baggage charges
87. Staff must obtain prior written approval from their line manager for any excess baggage charges
that are likely to be incurred as a result of carrying particular equipment or materials relevant to
the purpose of the travel.
88. With the exception of any charges approved under clause 87 of this policy, excess baggage
charges are a personal expense and will not be met by the University.
Transport
89. Where ground transport is required as part of University business, staff should use the most costeffective and safe form of transport available.
Gifts
90. Staff who wish to purchase items to be given as gifts as part of their travel on University business
may only do so in accordance with the Procurement Policy.
91. Gifts accepted by staff members while travelling on University business must be declared to the
staff member's line manager on return and, where the value of a gift is estimated by the relevant
line manager to exceed $200, recorded in the University Gift Register, as set out in the
Procurement Policy.
Meals and alcohol
92. Any food or drink to be paid for by the University must be mid-range.
93. Alcoholic drinks charged to the University must be limited to one small bottle of beer or one glass
of mid-range wine (or equivalent) per day.
94. Unless special contractual provisions apply, claims for meals purchased while travelling on
University business will be authorised on an actual and reasonable basis; the University will not
meet the cost of any mini-bar items, which are considered to be a personal expense.
Tipping
95. In overseas locations where tipping is the usual practice, a reasonable rate of expenditure on
tipping will be met by the University.
96. A restaurant bill must be annotated by a staff member to show any tips at the time the bill is paid.
Per diem payments
97. A staff member wishing to apply in advance for a per diem payment must make a case in writing
for consideration by his or her line manager in advance of the travel.
98. A line manager may only approve a per diem payment in exceptional circumstances, such as
travel to a country (typically a less developed country) where it is difficult to charge back costs to
the University or obtain receipts.
99. A line manager intending to approve a per diem payment under clause 98 of this policy must
consult the Chief Financial Officer for relevant advice before doing so.
Friends' or family members' travel
100. The University will not pay for costs associated with friends or family members accompanying a
staff member travelling on University business.
Invoices/receipts for expenditure
101. Wherever possible, staff must obtain itemised invoices for expenditure in accordance with the
PCard Policy, or in support of a staff claim for reimbursement.
Waivers and variations
102. Only the Vice-Chancellor, or Chancellor in respect to the Vice-Chancellor's travel, has authority to
waive or vary the provisions of this policy in individual cases.
103. The Chief Financial Officer must report any waivers of the provisions of this policy annually to
the Audit and Risk Committee.
Responsibility for monitoring compliance
104. Line managers are responsible for ensuring that staff who report to them comply with this policy.
105. The Chief Financial Officer is responsible for monitoring compliance with this policy and
reporting any breaches to the Vice-Chancellor.
106. Breaches of this policy may result in disciplinary action under the Staff Code of Conduct.